Knoxville Attorney Named Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year

Award presented to Scott Griswold at luncheon ceremony

NASHVILLE, Feb. 9, 2011 — Knoxville attorney J. Scott Griswold with Paine, Tarwater and Bickers LLP was honored with the state's top award for pro bono work at the Tennessee Bar Association's recent public service luncheon. Held each year as part of the association's Leadership Conference, the luncheon featured award winners in several categories and a keynote address by American Bar Association President-elect William Robinson of Cincinnati.

Griswold received the 2010 Harris Gilbert Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year Award for donating nearly 300 hours of free legal services through Legal Aid of East Tennessee. In one case, he helped a couple facing foreclosure renegotiate their mortgage and avoid eviction from their home. He also represented a young woman who had spent almost $1,700 on shoddy car repairs in a successful effort to recover her costs. In a third case, Griswold was appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court to represent an individual seeking permission to appeal a lower court decision. After much research, Griswold determined that the client's previous lawyer had a conflict of interest in the case, and successfully argued that the client should be given a new hearing. Finally, Griswold was recognized for his involvement with the Wills for Heroes program in Blount County, which provides free estate planning services to first responders. During a recent clinic, Griswold helped two service members draft wills before their deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq.

In nominating Griswold for this award, his Paine, Tarwater and Bickers colleague John Elder said, "Scott's efforts required tremendous amounts of time and energy, and his commitment to equal justice for all embodies one of the finest qualities of our profession."

The Harris Gilbert Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year Award is given annually to a private sector attorney who has demonstrated dedication to the development and delivery of legal services to the poor, and has performed significant pro bono work. The award is named for Nashville attorney Harris A. Gilbert, who served as president of the TBA from 1994 to 1995 and whose dedication to legal services for the poor set a high standard for all Tennessee attorneys.

Mr. Gilbert was on hand to present the award.

The Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) is the largest professional association in Tennessee with more than 13,000 members. Founded in 1881, the TBA provides opportunities for continuing legal education, professional development and public service. The TBA’s dedication to serving the state’s legal community is evidenced by its membership roll, which represents the entire spectrum of legal practice: plaintiff and defense lawyers, corporate counsel, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, government lawyers and legal services attorneys.